My LA visits always start at the Griffith Observatory. It’s the perfect place for a panoramic view, crisp air, fresh trees and to see the Hollywood sign.

The “hike” up to the Griffith Observatory is always the first thing I do when I’m in LA. I call it a “hike” and a not a hike because the car is usually parked near the observatory’s free, but limited, parking lot. The Griffith Observatory is not the only place with a panoramic view of LA. It is my favorite though. I always enjoy the fresh air, the winding drive up the mountain, and as it usually is in LA, the bright sun and blue skies. Plus, here is where everyone takes the obligatory selfie with the Hollywood sign in the backdrop.

If New York City gave me beaches like Venice Beach and weather like LA, being bi-coastal would not be on the bucket list.

A photo posted by Monica Wong (@_monicawong) on May 21, 2015 at 5:05pm PDT

My grad school friends were getting married in Sonoma Valley so I decided to make this trip out to California a week-long west coast getaway.

My stay in LA consisted of a lot of driving (not by me), sipping on coffee and tea at Verve, gorging at In-N-Out, eating cheap Mexican food, seeing the Hollywood sign at Griffith Observatory, spending a city girl’s definition of an outdoorsy day in LA and watching the sun set at a rooftop bar from Venice Beach.

Despite being a New Yorker, I have to admit that In-N-Out wins over Shake Shack. It taste just as good and is a better bang for my buck.

A photo posted by Monica Wong (@_monicawong) on May 21, 2015 at 1:24pm PDT

One of these days, I’m going to be bi-coastal. This Native New Yorker needs her east coast hustle, but I can really get used to this west coast vibe.

Guess what my first stop was as soon as I got into LA. That’s right. In-N-Out. Animal style. And of course, the next question that comes to mind is: Which is better – Shake Shack or In-N-Out? Here’s my take: Shake Shack wins on taste, but In-N-Out is just as tasty and definitely better bang for my buck.